Fashion retailer Karen Millen’s high hopes for global push

By NEIL CRAVEN FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Updated: 17:08 EST, 7 May 2011

Fashion brand Karen Millen is gearing up for a massive overseas expansion that it is hoped will double group sales over five years.

The international division already accounts for half the firm's £250 million turnover, but the proposals would see the British business dwarfed.

The first stage of the plan will see more company-owned stores on the Continent, particularly in France, Germany and Spain. Those will be followed by outlets in key growth economies such as China and South Korea.

A bright future: Fashion house Karen Millen is expanding its overseas arm

The first store in France opens in Paris next month and ten key cities have been identified in Germany, where the company already has three stores, including one in Berlin that opened last month.

Joint managing directors Gemma Metheringham and Steve Price said the first phase of the strategy would allow them to build on their success with department store concessions in France and Spain.

Metheringham said: 'There are Karen Millen customers in every big city. We have done a lot of research in Europe, from which towns we want to be in, which street, even down to which of our competitors we want to be next to.'

The retailer, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this autumn, was recently separated from parent group Aurora in a reorganisation that some interpreted as the precursor to a possible sale.

However, the overseas strategy is thought to have received approval from existing banks and shareholders.